Legendary Brazilian Singer Caetano Veloso to Be Celebrated as the 2012 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year

Caetano VelosoPhoto by Fernanda NegriniRenowned vocalist, songwriter and Brazilian Tropicalia music innovator Caetano Veloso will be celebrated as the 2012 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year on Wednesday, November 14 in Las Vegas, Nevada (USA). The Annual Gala is part of this year’s Latin Grammy Week Celebration.

Veloso is an eight-time Latin Grammy winner and two-time Grammy winner. Songs from his catalog will be performed by an remarkable group of notable artists and friends of the honoree.

A fraction of the net proceeds from the gala will benefit Veloso’s chosen charity, Fundacion Viva Cazuza in Brazil. It’s a not-for-profit HIV prevention and treatment organization for children and young people; as well as The Latin Recording Academy’s outreach and education programs.

“Caetano Veloso has become the preeminent ambassador of Brazilian music and culture,” said Gabriel Abaroa Jr., President/CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. “It is difficult to find a man with such immense talent, passion and dedication to his creative projects — whether in music, writing or activism — and it is The Latin Recording Academy and its Board of Trustees’ great pleasure to celebrate a man of limitless talent and commitment. By celebrating Caetano, we celebrate Brazil, and we look forward to honoring his amazing career and music.”

A musician, producer, arranger, writer, painter, and political activist, Veloso is deemed one of the most influential Brazilians since the 1960s. He first became known for his contribution to the Brazilian music movement Tropicalia, which signaled a new generation of politically outspoken artists who recreated the face of popular Brazilian music.

Caetano Veloso and David Byrne – Live At Carnegie HallCaetano Veloso was forced into exile in London from 1968-1972, and during this time he developed great musical sensitivity reaching unimaginable heights. The 1980s gave Veloso his largest audience and recognition as he began touring internationally.

Throughout his distinguished career, he has recorded more than 40 albums, published five books, directed a film and has won numerous awards.

In 2003 he participated in the 75th Annual Academy Awards, where he and Mexican world music diva Lila Downs performed “Burn It Blue” from the film Frida, which received a Best Original Song nomination.

Acknowledged as one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century, Caetano Veloso constantly tours and produces albums. This year, he released Live At Carnegie Hall — which documented a special collaborative concert with his friend David Byrne in 2004 — and Especial, an album with fellow Brazilians Gilberto Gil and Ivete Sangalo.

Author: Angel Romero

Angel Romero y Ruiz has been writing about world music and progressive music for many years. He founded the websites worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. Angel produced several specials for Metropolis (TVE) and co-produced “Musica NA”, a music show for Televisión Española (TVE) in Spain that featured an eclectic mix of world music, fusion, electronica, new age and contemporary classical music. Angel also produced and remastered world music and electronic music albums, compilations and boxed sets for Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Music of the World, Lektronic Soundscapes, and Mindchild Records. Angel is currently based in Durham, North Carolina.